Zooplankton data: horizontal and vertical distribution, species composition, and abundance of zooplankton in the northern Gulf of Mexico, R/V Point Sur cruise, PTS01 from 2015-10-28 to 2015-11-02

This dataset contains zooplankton data (horizontal and vertical distribution, species composition, and abundance of zooplankton) in the northern Gulf of Mexico obtained aboard the R/V Point Sur (cruise PTS01) from 2015-10-28 to 2015-11-02. Depth-discrete and surface plankton samples were collected during CONCORDE cruise PTS01 (October 28th-November 5th, 2015) using two gear types: a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Environmental Sampling System (BIONESS) and a Neuston. The BIONESS (0.25 m2 opening) is a depth-discrete sampler that was fitted with six 333-µm mesh nets and three 202-µm mesh nets and the Neuston (1 x 2 m frame) was fitted with a 505-µm mesh net that sampled at the air-sea interface. Biological samples were collected generally between the 15 and 40 m depth contours between the Chandeleur Islands and the Alabama/Florida border to assess the horizontal and vertical distribution, species composition, and abundance of zooplankton under low freshwater discharge conditions characteristic of the Fall. The dataset contains the date, and latitude and longitude coordinates of the sampling location. The cruise documentation was provided for the R/V Point Sur (cruise PTS01). The cruise was led by chief scientist Dr. Frank Hernandez/Monty Graham.